Hampton says Move Izzy inside.

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07-25-2011, 12:04 PM
GrizzlyBear91

Hampton says Move Izzy inside.
Hall of Famer Dan Hampton would like to see the Bears shift Israel Idonije from left defensive end to tackle.

Idonije and right defensive end Julius Peppers tied for the team lead in sacks last season with eight. The Bears released veteran defensive tackle Tommie Harris at the end of the season, making him a free agent.
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"Julius Peppers could rush the passer on Mars. God gave him a lot. He's big and he's got great ability," Hampton said. "I think they have basically done a poor job of utilizing Israel's abilities. I'd put him in the three (technique) and just build a fire under him and say 'go.' He's 275 or 280 … at 290 he could be a force. He's a lot better than, you know, 'Voodoo' Harris. He would make one play a game and everyone thought he could play."

Idonije seized the starting left end position last season after Alex Brown and Mark Anderson were released.

"I would love to see (Idonije) inside. Put Corey Wootton and Peppers on the ends," Hampton said. "The guys are 6-7 bookends. Wootton can play. He's going to be a player. Put Anthony (Adams, who is a free agent) and Israel (inside) and just say 'go.' "

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Comments (2)

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bgm1906 at 9:17 AM July 25, 2011 Just because they moved him outside doesn't mean that's his best fit. With Hampton being a hall of famer, he may know a little more than u, me and possibly the entire Bears coaching staff. So, why question if he follow's the Bears? We obviously have a whole in the middle now that Tommie Harris is gone, and Wotten is a beast (Forgive that I am fellow wildcat!). I think Danimal is making sense...

darragh.patrick.quinn at 8:07 AM July 25, 2011 Din't they already make him drop weight to move him outside? Does Hampton follow the Bears or what?

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07-25-2011, 12:43 PM
soulman

Yeah I saw that Grizz and as much as I respect Dan Hampton I think he's wrong. We had Izzy beefed up like that and playing DT before and he wasn't anywhere near as effective as he was at DE last year. The other two factors that he's overlooking is that; 1) we still don't know what we have in Wooton so moving a guy who gave you the play that Izzy did last year doesn't seem like a smart move, and 2) we have depth at DT and almost none at DE. In fact we really need to pick up another edge rusher in FA or off somebodies waiver list and not reduce the number we have.

If the idea is to put your best pass rushers on the field on obvious passing downs and moving Izzy inside helps top accomplish that I could see them doing that from time to time but playing him next to AA as the starting 3t DT, no. Izzy and Pep played too many down last year as it is. We need outside help to give them a breather and for Paea and Melton to bring the rush from that 3t spot.
07-25-2011, 03:53 PM
motownbear

I think Idonije playing inside will be a detriment to our great run defense(assumning it would be great again this year)
07-26-2011, 09:01 AM
GrizzlyBear91

Izzy was playing inside during the O-gun/Brown Era....

I think the logic is he could have more success up the middle when you actually have to worry about the edges...

And personally.... I know Hampton's not a coach... but I'd like to think the guy knows a thing or two about Defensive lines.
07-26-2011, 09:39 AM
soulman

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrizzlyBear91

Izzy was playing inside during the O-gun/Brown Era....

I think the logic is he could have more success up the middle when you actually have to worry about the edges...

And personally.... I know Hampton's not a coach... but I'd like to think the guy knows a thing or two about Defensive lines.

Like I said Grizz I respect Dan Hampton a great deal but when Izzy beefs up to 300lbs he loses enough speed and athleticism that I think it's more a liability to him than a benefit. When he did play inside a few years back he didn't get near the sacks he's getting now that he's outside. I could see moving him in there on obvious passing downs if getting him, Pep and Wootton rushing helps but I really don't see him a a three down player at DT. JMO
07-26-2011, 09:54 AM
GrizzlyBear91

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulman

Like I said Grizz I respect Dan Hampton a great deal but when Izzy beefs up to 300lbs he loses enough speed and athleticism that I think it's more a liability to him than a benefit. When he did play inside a few years back he didn't get near the sacks he's getting now that he's outside. I could see moving him in there on obvious passing downs if getting him, Pep and Wootton rushing helps but I really don't see him a a three down player at DT. JMO

yeah but how many batted passes did he have, and how often did he disrupt play in the backfield? Izzy got moved outside cause Ogun, Brown, and Anderson all left withing a short amount of time, and it was his production on the inside that prompted his move to outside.

With Wooton looking to emerge as a playmaker, and Pep going nowhere fast.... you wonder... rotate Izzy at D-end? or put all three on the field at the same time?..

We're just talking possibilities here, and nothing concrete. I like the Idea of putting Izzy back in the middle. even if he doesn't rack up the sack count, he can bat balls like a machine. We've seen him do it many times.

the reality is we have quite a crop of D-linemen, so any combination we put out there should be able to repeat the success we had last year no problem.
07-26-2011, 10:28 AM
soulman

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrizzlyBear91

yeah but how many batted passes did he have, and how often did he disrupt play in the backfield? Izzy got moved outside cause Ogun, Brown, and Anderson all left withing a short amount of time, and it was his production on the inside that prompted his move to outside.

With Wooton looking to emerge as a playmaker, and Pep going nowhere fast.... you wonder... rotate Izzy at D-end? or put all three on the field at the same time?..

We're just talking possibilities here, and nothing concrete. I like the Idea of putting Izzy back in the middle. even if he doesn't rack up the sack count, he can bat balls like a machine. We've seen him do it many times.

the reality is we have quite a crop of D-linemen, so any combination we put out there should be able to repeat the success we had last year no problem.

On this point I agree 100%. We've got some pretty nice positional flexibility with this bunch. Toe can play at either DT spot as can Paea in all likelihood. Melton has been used at DE and althoug he's bulked up to play the UT spot I'm sure he could still pass rush from the DE spot. Izzy can play inside or outside too. It's just AA, Pep, and Wootton who are pretty well fixed at their positions although Pep and Wootton could play at either DE spot.

I'm intrigued by the idea that we might pursue Jason Babin to give us a little more depth at DE and another very good pass rusher. As long as Izzy continues to play at 270-275lbs and doesn't have to bulk up I have no problem with moving him inside in certain situations like you indicate but I don't want to see him as a 3 down DT and I think that's what "Danimal" was suggesting.
07-26-2011, 10:41 AM
GrizzlyBear91

I think when we had Ogun and Brown on the ends there wasn't enough of a need from other teams to double team like we have now.
that's why I think Izzy would do MUCH better this time around then his last stint, and be the Force Hampton is talking about. even if he didn't rack up the sack count you KNOW he can get those gorilla arms up and disrupt passes over the middle. No secret his arms are longer than most.

but we can debate that till the cow's come home.
07-26-2011, 10:44 AM
soulman

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrizzlyBear91

I think when we had Ogun and Brown on the ends there wasn't enough of a need from other teams to double team like we have now.
that's why I think Izzy would do MUCH better this time around then his last stint, and be the Force Hampton is talking about. even if he didn't rack up the sack count you KNOW he can get those gorilla arms up and disrupt passes over the middle. No secret his arms are longer than most.

but we can debate that till the cow's come home.

Yeah and it's your turn to do the milking tonight so don't be late. :bah::drinking61: